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  • Photo Friday – Funicular Fun

    While digging through my b&w negatives I found some more images from Switzerland. This one is from the day I spent on Monte Brè where I rode the funicular (or funicolare in Italian) to the top for a beautiful view of Lugano. I’ll scan the rest of the negatives from that excursion to see what else I shot, but in the meantime this one just made me laugh because it reminded me of a little snafu I got myself into that day.

    After taking the funicular to the top of the mountain and enjoying the view, I decided to hike back down the mountain in a moment of spontaneity. I didn’t have a trail map, but there were hiking trails marked with signposts so I figured it should be easy enough to find my way back down. I had walked the path down for about 30 minutes when I realized how late in the day it was and that since I didn’t know the length/distance of the trail, I might end up on the mountain in the dark. Plus it started raining, so I decided it would be best to turn around and go back up. However, part of the way up the trail split into two directions and I couldn’t remember which way I had come from! I started to panic a little because there wasn’t a soul in sight, there were no signs or markers to indicate the way, and I knew the funicular would close fairly soon. I took a wild guess at which path would return me to the funicular and made my way back up. Thankfully, it was the correct path and I made it to the funicular in time for the return trip, but not without a little stress!

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  • Photo Friday – Icy Pine

    In light of the ice storm and all the snow we received this week, I remembered some photos I took during another ice storm about 15 years ago. Back then, I took my camera out at just about any opportunity to practice. I remember wandering around the yard at my parents’ house with my film SLR wrapped in a plastic bag to protect it from the rain. I was getting pelted with icy raindrops, but I didn’t mind in the slightest because I was having so much fun finding interesting ice patterns. I wouldn’t say I’m a lazier photographer now, but when the ice storm hit this week I only briefly considered grabbing my camera and instead traded the photo op for the warmth and coziness of staying indoors under a blanket. I enjoyed seeing other people’s photos though!

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  • Photo Friday – Aloha

    Another photo to be filed under Warm Places I Think About While There’s Snow on the Ground in Virginia – this brightly colored lei I received at my friend Jenn’s wedding in Hawaii. If I close my eyes and try really hard to remember the warmth of the sun and the breeze of the sea-salted air on the beaches of Oahu, I can almost feel it again. Almost, but not really. It’s so cold here right now! (Remind me of this moment when we’re all sweaty in August.)

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  • I Heart Doors

    I Heart Doors

    Over the years, I have always been drawn to photographing doors. I wish I could tell you that it has some deep meaning for me like the symbol of new beginnings or a pathway to the great unknown, but I simply just enjoy finding interesting doors to photograph. It started as early as my film SLR days, and they continue to be a subject I return to often no matter what camera I have in-hand. I also love exploring the little details such as knockers, handles, hinges, and locks. I’m looking forward to wandering some new towns this year in search of photogenic entryways – Belize, Vieques, Ireland, and Scotland should have some good ones!

    “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” – Walt Disney

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  • Photo Friday – Brothers

    Just a simple photo of Chris with his younger brother, Steve. I doubt either of them will remember me taking this photo in Wintergreen, Virginia sometime in 2007, but I like it.

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